Volunteers Needed for Rescue Work Tomorrow! -- Shayla06's Journal -- Fur Affinity [dot] net

Volunteers Needed for Rescue Work Tomorrow!

12 years ago

I'm going back out to the animal rescue tomorrow. I got Popper, aka "the crippled dog," a wheelchair put together, but I'll need help holding him while I get him in it and adjusted. The rescue can use all the help they can get, so if you want to join us out there, just let me know. Of course they always are looking for homes for pets, but here are some other things you can do to help!

Things they need done:
Walk dogs
Brush dogs
Bathe dogs
Shovel poop
Feed dogs
Feed cats
Brush cats
Feed farm animals
Brush farm animals
Fill water bowls
Pick weeds
Hand wash pet dishes
Hand wash volunteers' dishes
Vacuum
Dust
Mop
Legwork! Someone needs to run around retrieving what other volunteers/workers need. It's a big farm.

Items they need donated:
LARGE Dogloos (most of their pets are big and some are destructive)
Snake repellent (One of the workers almost stepped on a copperhead when we were there last time.)
Dog food (any kind is appreciated)
Cat food
Hay/straw
Tools! - yard work tools (they have several weed eaters, but only one mower that is in poor condition, especially for a five acre field!), fence building tools, tools to fix up the houses with, etc.
Hoses (they get chewed on and old quickly)
Spray nozzles for hoses (both for bathing dogs or keeping the hose from leaking between uses)
Flea meds
Premade dog runs (bigger is better; these are MUCH easier to move around as needed)
Benedryl tablets (Used for pets with allergies or as a sedative when moving animals.)
Collars, Leashes, and Harnesses
SOD (the dogs quickly tear up all the grass in their runs)
Food! (the workers gotta eat too, you know!)
Blankets
Old furniture (old mattresses can make great large dog beds, and the human furniture out there is ripped to shreds from use and claws)
2'x4's and easy-to-clean flooring (the house trailer has carpet that is so ruined it's hard and the floorboards are literally rotting away beneath it)
Dishes/disposable dishes
Water filters (their well water is terrible)
Box fans! (It's over 100 degrees out there. Those dogs are gonna have a heat stroke at this rate.)
D-clips (You wouldn't think it, but 100 of these would make work so much easier. They use wrapped wires to lock the kennel doors from being bumped open, but D-clips would make it SO much faster and nicer.)
Tags! (Very few dogs/cats have collars, almost none have name tags.)
Stuffingless toys (stuffing goes everywhere, is hard to clean up, and may be a choking hazard.)

This list is endless. If you think it'd be helpful, go for it. They'll take any donations they can get and find a way to use them. =) The rescue specializes in special needs' pets, so even the most obscure animal product could be useful...

I'm very excited to get Popper in his new wheelchair we made out of an old stroller. =3 You should come with. Seeing him mobile again is going to be a heartwarming moment. ^.=.^

12 Comments

Germanshepherd69 ~germanshepherd69

Art Whore

12 years ago

Oklahoma you say? I'm nowhere near, but on behalf of CIGSDR, we wish you the best of luck and god's speed!

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

Thanks. =3 Same to you. They need all the help they can get. The poor place is being run into the ground lately with the excess of dogs and Chris' huge heart that's too big for his head. He refuses to turn any animal away even when they really can't afford more or have room for them. And since he's spent so much effort on just keeping the bare minimum done, he hasn't had the chance to do much else. They never get to go to the park or get groomed or sit at PetSmart. He's going to finally take the newest puppies out to PetSmart while we're there Saturday to help get stuff done. =3 Gonna get Popper in his new wheels so his useless back legs won't be all torn up, going to take some new pictures of the dogs I recognize and know stuff about, and then I'll try to convince my husband to let me bring one home to foster for a while. ;3

Germanshepherd69 ~germanshepherd69

Art Whore

12 years ago

I've fostered several shepherds in the past months. I honestly think people think that if a dog is in a shelter, it's ill or difficult to manage. To be honest, most just are given up because the owner can't handle paying for theirs :/

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

Yeah. The poor dog needing a wheelchair was given up because his owners were too old and in too ill of health themselves to properly care for him - giving him physical therapy, carrying him places, holding his rear up with a harness so he can get around and not hurt his back, take him in and out of a wheelchair when he goes on walks or plays, and cleaning up behind him since dogs with DM (what all signs show he has as far as I can tell) typically become incontinent. They left him at the pound and then felt bad, so they told their friend who owns the rescue and he went and picked the dog up. Sadly, as happy and playful as he is even dragging around his back half, the disease is only going to progress until his front legs are paralyzed and then his brain is affected and he is unable to function at all. It's not deadly in itself, so the dog is going to have to be put down eventually when that happens or he'll just be stuck laying there paralyzed until he starves to death or something... =( Am trying to improve what is left of his life, at least. -.-;

TamaraRose ~tamararose

Photographer

12 years ago

i deont think we will make it looks like this week end will be working on the new car.... is there any way you can make another wheel chair? we have a chiwua wua here near by who looks like he needs on

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

What I made is less of a wheel chair and more of a "drag cart." It's just something for the dog to lay on that will keep his useless rear legs from getting cut up while he drags himself around the farm. It does have wheels, and that should take some of the stress off his front legs, but it's not a proper wheelchair. Whether a dog needs a wheelchair and what kind entirely depends on what is wrong with the dog. Wheelchairs are also not meant for permanent use. They aren't supposed to be used for more than an hour a day because the dog cannot sit down or lay down to rest while wearing it. What I made lets the dog lay down when he wants, but it won't help him exercise or keep his back in a proper alignment. Also, I made his out of spare parts from an outgrown stroller. It'd be much too big for a chihuahua. But if he really needs one, there are plans online on how to build your own. But the easiest to use and best wheelchairs for a dog's spine are the ones that have been tested and are sold online. But again, a wheelchair is not for constant use. If a dog can't use his back legs, then he'll spend most of his time laying down and needs a whole lot more care than just a set of wheels...

Sorry for the mini-rant. I've been reading about this stuff for days now. x.=.x What kind of problems is the chihuahua in question having?

TamaraRose ~tamararose

Photographer

12 years ago

hes got floating knees on his back end we where tooying with the idea of the chair/ drag cart for out side hes not in any pain but when they slip out he looks well like fruit bat with out wings

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

That... sounds incredibly painful and gross. =( Well, a wheelchair would help somewhat. As I said, it's not something to wear all the time. A dog like that should probably rest as much as possible otherwise, but to get his exercise and keep him from tripping on long walks, it'd be a great help I'm sure. But they also start at $250, new or used. Most dogs only use them for a short amount of time and they're just as useful and in basically the same condition, so the used ones aren't any cheaper but can sometimes be delivered faster. >.=.> Making one yourself for that small of a dog would be a major pain. It's much easier to get the pre-made ones that are easily adjustable. Small dogs need smaller parts that require more precision... =/ But I'd definitely have them look into it. They might be able to get one cheaper on Ebay by bidding on it or something since it's not an immediate necessity...

SumiXxChaos ~sumixxchaos

Photographer

12 years ago

I wish I could go and help out! Sadly I'm in Texas. I'll be moving up to Oklahoma next year though!

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

Awesome. =3 Well, don't forget us, and be sure to check out

OklahomaFurs for all the local goings-on. ^.=.^ Going to try to make going to the rescue a regular meet, and I'm sure we'll still be helping out personally and visiting them then. We're actually making them a new website today. =D

SumiXxChaos ~sumixxchaos

Photographer

12 years ago

Alright, will do! :) Also, I think that sounds awesome! Having fun with friends while helping out the rescue :3.

Shayla06 ~shayla06

Traditional Artist

12 years ago

Cool. Well, whenever you get out here, you can join us. ;3

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